**5.2. Bacterial infections of cetacean skin**

A variety of bacteria have been reported from skin lesions in cetaceans. These include species of *Brucella, Corynebacterium, Dermatophilus, Escherichia, Erysipelothrix, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus* and *Vibrio* (Table 1) [27, 47, 55]. Bacteria also cause death of cetaceans in many cases [55]. However, it must be noted that these infections are usually of a secondary nature and occur as a result of other stresses, such as parasites and immuno-suppression following exposure to toxins.



**Table 1.** Bacterial species reported to cause skin lesions in cetaceans

134 New Approaches to the Study of Marine Mammals

*5.1.4. Calicivirus induced vesicular disease* 

**5.2. Bacterial infections of cetacean skin** 

Smith and co-workers [53] reported an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin with vesicular skin disease caused by calicivirus. This disease was apparently transferred to another dolphin, but via a sea lion. The lesions eventually eroded and left shallow ulcers. Interestingly, serological studies on mysticete spp. from the North Pacific, showed the presence of

A variety of bacteria have been reported from skin lesions in cetaceans. These include species of *Brucella, Corynebacterium, Dermatophilus, Escherichia, Erysipelothrix, Klebsiella, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus* and *Vibrio* (Table 1) [27, 47, 55]. Bacteria also cause death of cetaceans in many cases [55]. However, it must be noted that these infections are usually of a secondary nature and occur as a result of other stresses,

*Brucella Brucella cetacea* had been reported from sub-blubber abscesses in

*Corynebacterium* A species of *Corynebacterium* had been isolated from skin lesions in

*Dermatophilus* Lesions caused by *Dermatophilus*-like actinomycetes were observed

*Enterobacter Enterobacter agglomerans* had been reported from skin lesions on an

*Erysipelothrix Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae* had been reported as the cause of skin

*Klebsiella Klebsiella oxytoca* was isolated from skin lesions of an Atlantic

Atlantic bottlenose dolphin from Florida, USA [55]. *Escherichia coli E.coli* isolates were obtained from skin lesions on Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from Florida and New York, USA [55].

an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin [55].

and grey areas on the skin.

from subcutaneous and skin lesions in cetaceans [57].

several species of cetaceans [56]. Also, *Brucella ceti* had been isolated

in six deceased beluga whales that were found in the St. Lawrence estuary [34]. These lesions presented as slightly depressed, round

disease in dolphins, characterized by dermal infarction causing dermal sloughing [51]. This disease is usually subacute and chronic in cetaceans or acute septicaemia [56]. As a small, pleomorphic, Gram positive rod, this bacterium is a commonly found in the mucous of fish, suggesting that the dolphins become infected by ingesting these fish [51, 56, 58, 59]. Injuries caused by the teeth of other cetaceans, is another possible route of infection [56].

bottlenose dolphin, while another *Klebsiella* sp. was obtained from a goosebeak whale (*Ziphius cavirostris*), both from Florida (USA) [55].

neutralizing bodies to several marine vesiviruses, including calicivirus [54].

such as parasites and immuno-suppression following exposure to toxins.

**Bacterial genus Bacterial species occurring on cetaceans**
